UC Berkeley |

Jennifer Doudna wins 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry

Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley and UCSF professor and Berkeley Lab faculty scientist, shares the prize with Emmanuelle Charpentier for their discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for making targeted changes to the genome.

UC Berkeley |

Science magazine names CRISPR ‘Breakthrough of the Year’

Genome-editing technology invented at UC Berkeley is year’s top innovation.

UC Berkeley |

Using two CRISPR enzymes, a COVID diagnostic in only 20 minutes

Eliminating RNA amplification simplifies and speeds up assay for SARS-CoV-2 virus, making it ideal for point of care testing.

UC Merced |

Continuing Darwin’s work on Galapagos Island

186 years after Darwin first described the Galapagos racer snake, Danielle Edwards seeks to rebuild their population by using DNA from one of his original samples.

UC Berkeley |

FDA approves first test of CRISPR to correct genetic defect causing sickle cell disease

UC scientists and physicians hope to permanently cure patients of sickle cell disease by using CRISPR-Cas9 to replace a defective gene with the normal version.

UCSF |

Is this one protein responsible for weight gain?

Diminishing a single protein in a set of mice caused them to gain only half the weight of other mice, even on a high-fat diet.

UC Santa Cruz |

Scientists achieve first complete assembly of human X chromosome

The first end-to-end, completely gapless DNA sequence of a human chromosome is a major milestone for genomics.

UC Berkeley |

UC Berkeley launches trial of saliva test for COVID-19

Saliva can be gathered without medical supervision, unlike current tests, which saves time, money and precious PPE.

UC Merced |

Researchers forge a new weapon to fight parasites and other infections

‘It’s a first step toward fulfilling the promise of the genomics era to inform how we combat disease,’ lead researcher says.

UC Santa Cruz |

Most comprehensive study of whole cancer genomes completed

The Pan-Cancer Project discovers causes of unexplained cancers and zeros in on mechanisms of development.

UC San Diego |

Why are humans the only species prone to heart attacks?

Gene loss 2 to 3 million years ago may explain why coronary events are common in humans but rare in other animals.

UC Berkeley |

Scientists chart course toward a new world of synthetic biology

Genetically engineered trees that provide fire-resistant lumber for homes? We're on the cusp of a revolution.